AP World History Study Guide Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the AP World History study guide, focusing on developments in East Asia, Dar al-Islam, the Americas, Africa, and Europe from c. 1200 to c. 1450.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960-1279) known for its wealth, political stability, and cultural innovations.

Meritocracy

A system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.

Grand Canal

An extensive waterway transportation system in China that facilitated trade and population growth.

Gunpowder

An explosive substance invented in China that later spread to Eurasia, changing warfare.

Buddhism

A religion that originated in India that emphasizes spiritual development and the removal of suffering.

Confucianism

A philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius, focusing on morality, family loyalty, and respect for authority.

Foot Binding

A Chinese custom of tightly binding women's feet to restrict growth, symbolizing status and beauty.

Tribute System

An economic arrangement in which surrounding states had to pay money or provide goods to honor the Chinese emperor.

Neo-Confucianism

A revived form of Confucian philosophy that incorporated ideas from Buddhism and Daoism, prevalent in China.

Daimyo

Powerful landowning aristocrats in Japan during the feudal period.

Shogun

A military ruler in Japan who held actual power while emperors were figureheads.

Korea's Tributary Relationship

The system where Korea acknowledged the dominance of China through tribute payments.

Merit-Based Bureaucracy

A system of governance where officials are chosen based on their skills and education rather than family connections.

Bhakti Movement

A Hindu movement emphasizing personal devotion to a deity, seeking emotional connection over ritual.

Srivijaya Empire

A Hindu kingdom based in Sumatra that controlled maritime trade routes and prospered from them.

Khmer Empire

A powerful empire in Southeast Asia known for its sophisticated irrigation systems and construction of Angkor Wat.

Maya City-States

Independent city-states that made up the Maya civilization, known for their advanced writing and architectural skills.

Aztec Theocracy

A government form in which religious leaders hold political power, evident in Aztec society.

Inca Mit’a System

A labor system used by the Incas requiring citizens to work on state projects as a form of tribute.

Bantu Migration

The movement of Bantu-speaking peoples across Africa, spreading language and culture.

Islamic Golden Age

A period of great cultural, economic, and scientific flourishing in the history of Islam.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against Jews, which manifested in various forms such as discrimination and expulsions.

Feudalism

A political system based on the hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs in medieval Europe.

Great Schism

The division of Christianity into Western (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) branches in 1054.

Crusades

A series of religious wars launched by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class in Europe that gained wealth during the Renaissance, including merchants and artisans.

Humanism

A Renaissance cultural movement that emphasized human potential and achievements.

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic dynasty that ruled from 750 to 1258, known for cultural and scientific advancements.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center during the Islamic Golden Age located in Baghdad.

Mongol Empire

The largest contiguous empire in history, established by Genghis Khan in the 13th century.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting Asia to the Mediterranean, facilitating cultural exchanges.

Maritime Trade

Trade conducted over water, which expanded significantly during the age of exploration.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade across the Sahara Desert that brought wealth to kingdoms like Mali and Ghana.

Indigenous Responses

The actions taken by native peoples in response to colonization and external pressures.

Cacao

A crop native to Mesoamerica used to produce chocolate, which became a valuable trade good.

Oceanic Trade Routes

Sea routes used for global trade connecting various continents and regions.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires that expanded their territory and influence through the use of gunpowder technology.

Redistricting of Empires

The reorganization of territories during the rise and fall of empires.

Mercantilism

An economic policy that promotes governmental regulation of a nation's economy for augmenting state power.

Universal Suffrage

The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of race, gender, or social status.

Zionism

The movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant industrial growth marked by the transition from agrarian societies to industrial urban centers.

Colonialism

The policy of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Globalization

The process of increased interconnectedness and interdependence among countries, often through trade and cultural exchange.

Feminism

A movement advocating for women's rights and equality with men in social, political, and economic realms.

Trade Networks

Systems of trade that connect different regions, facilitating the exchange of goods, services, and cultures.

Economic Depressions

Severe downturns in economic activity characterized by persistent unemployment and stagnant demand.

Colonial Exploitation

The process where colonizing countries exploit the resources of their colonies without fair compensation.

Diaspora

The dispersion of any people from their original homeland.

Revolutions

Significant political changes often brought about through collective action and popular uprisings.

Cultural Appropriation

The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without understanding or respecting its significance.

Demographic Changes

Shifts in the population dynamics, including size, distribution, and structure.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Social Justice

The concept of fair and just relationships between the individual and society, measuring the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Environmental Resistance

Opposition to changes in the environment caused by human activity or policies.

Cultural Exchange

The process of sharing ideas, values, and cultural practices between different cultures.

Imperialism

A policy or practice by which a country extends its power and dominance over other nations or regions.

Rationalism

A philosophical belief that reason is the primary source of knowledge and authority.

Scientific Revolution

A period of radical advancements in scientific thought and discovery during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Charter Companies

Private companies that were granted exclusive trading rights by governments.

Enlightenment

An intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, logic, and science.

Cottage Industry

A system of production where goods are manufactured in individuals' homes rather than in factories.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for their rights and interests.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

Peace Accords

Agreements aimed at achieving peace, often after conflict or war.

Terrorism

The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in pursuit of political aims.

Global Market

An international trading marketplace where goods and services are exchanged.

Independence Movements

Campaigns by nations or groups seeking to achieve self-governance and independence from colonial rule.

Labor Exploitation

The act of treating workers unfairly, often by paying them less than their worth or denying them rights.

Authoritarianism

A governing system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

Civic Engagement

Participation in activities that promote public good, including political involvement and community service.

Coup d'état

A sudden overthrow of a government, usually by a small group of people.

Civil Disobedience

The active refusal to obey certain laws or demands of a government as a form of peaceful protest.

Cultural Heritage

The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society inherited from past generations.

Rights of Indigenous People

The entitlements and protections recognized for the original inhabitants of a region.

Grassroots Movements

Collective actions at the local level aimed at creating social change.

Social Movements

Groups of people working together to promote or resist change in society.

Skilled Labor

Work that requires specialized training or experience.

Unemployment

The state of being without a job while actively seeking work.

Ethical Consumption

Purchasing goods with consideration to social and environmental factors.

Charitable Organizations

Non-profit groups that provide help to those in need.

Trade Barriers

Government-imposed restrictions on the free exchange of goods and services between nations.

Cultural Assimilation

The process where individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group.

Political Ideologies

Set beliefs about the best way to organize government and society.

Racial Discrimination

Prejudice or discrimination against individuals based on their race.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Civic Responsibility

The responsibility of citizens to participate in the civic and political activities of their community.

Environmental Conservation

The responsible management of natural resources to prevent exploitation.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare.

Cultural Relativism

The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of another culture.

Gender Equality

The state in which access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

Multi-ethnic States

Countries that contain people from multiple ethnic backgrounds.

Maroon Communities

Settlements established by escaped enslaved people.

Collective Bargaining

Negotiation between employers and a group of employees aimed at reaching agreements on working conditions.

Reform Movements

Social movements aimed at improving the existing system.

Public Health Initiatives

Programs aimed at improving community health outcomes.

Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology.